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2007 Honda Fit Road Test

It Just Fits

As odd as it seems, the cars I most look forward to driving are those in the subcompact class. I know Ive mentioned this before in previous reviews, but my enthusiasm for the budget-mobile was recently reaffirmed while testing out the 2007 Honda Fit, which is anything but bargain-basement in execution.

Just when I thought the entry-level division couldnt get any better, it does, all thanks to Honda. But thats no surprise now is it? After all, Honda has built its strong reputation by producing quality, reliable vehicles and doing so affordably. I have no doubt that this reputation will continue to strengthen with the latest addition to the family.

Upon meeting Hondas

This long row of Fits includes the base and top of the line Sport models. (Photo: Justin Couture, American Auto Press)

new bambino, I was honestly blown away. I am generally impressed with what Honda has to offer, but I was flabbergasted with the Fit. Its just an amazing little car for an amazing little price. Need I say more? Well, of course. I need to tell you why this car is so fantabulous. Yes, fantabulous.

Just look at it. Its clean curves and edgy styling are just a couple of reasons why

Functionality contributes to the Fits unique styling. (Photo: Justin Couture, American Auto Press)

I found myself staring at it. Actually, I wasnt just staring, I was admiring. While it might not be the best or most exciting looking car out there, its exterior and interior attention to detail make it more appealing than many costing thousands more. For example, the multi-reflector halogen headlights with body-colored bezels make the Fit look sophisticated and sporty at the same time. Additionally, the Fits wide-opening front doors allow the passengers and drivers

Three pods and bright blue backlighting give the Fit a sporty demeanor. (Photo: Justin Couture, American Auto Press)

entry and exit to be as easy as possible. How? By designing in three distinct detents to hold the doors open at various degrees; at its widest, the doors are open at nearly 80 degrees. Hows that for a Fit?! Oh the plays-on-words are endless. Its just too easy.

Moving from the outside in (through the wide-open doors, of course) my fondness for the Fit increased exponentially. I can honestly say that this is the best looking interior in its class, hands down. From the convenient placement of the buttons to the color

All Fits are powered by a rev-happy 1.5-liter SOHC VTEC engine... 110 horsepower is plenty for a car this light. (Photo: Justin Couture, American Auto Press)

and construction of its 3-ring instrument panel with blue back-lighting and accented silver trim, everything just fits so well. I can also honestly say that the interior quality of the base model, which has a starting price of $13,850, is even better than some cars in more expensive classes, even those that sell for an additional $10,000 or so. Now thats impressive.

As I mentioned above, the Fit comes in a base While each trim designation comes a list of standard and available features, the former of which includes air conditioning and a variety

NVH is good; ride of base model is firm, but there is still body roll. (Photo: Justin Couture, American Auto Press)

of decent audio systems. Whats more, all three trim levels are laced with the same 1.5L, 16-valve, SOHC 4-cylinder VTEC engine producing 109 horsepower at 5,800 rpm and 105 lb-ft of torque at 4,800 rpm. I had the opportunity to try both the base five-speed manual gearbox and the available five-speed automatic transmission. Ill mention that Honda is the first manufacturer to offer a 5-speed automatic in the entry-level subcompact segment, with most rival automakers still using four-speed units in their upper-rung compact models, and also the first in its class to offer wheel-mounted paddle shifters with the automatic transmission on models boasting Sport

The Fit may be the tallest amongst its competitors, but its the sportiest and most agile to drive. (Photo: Justin Couture, American Auto Press)

trim. Both transmissions felt great. The transitions from gear to gear in the manual Fit were very smooth and its shift lever and clutch easy to apply, while the auto was much the same sans the shifter lever and clutch.
Actually, when I put the pedal to the metal in the auto tranny-equipped Fit it picked up speed nicely and wasnt  too noisy  inside the cabin, all thanks to Hondas NVH (Noise, Vibration and Harshness) sound deadening technology, which creates a quieter ride. Often times, vehicles with smaller displacement engines subject to lower horsepower and torque production can sound revvy and noisy when forced to pick up the pace. The Honda wasnt tomb-like quiet, but much less raucous

Larger 195/55 R 15 tires give the Fit Sport good bite on the road. (Photo: Justin Couture, American Auto Press)

than those it competes against.

Speaking of competition, the event Honda put on that allowed me to acquaint myself with the Fit, was also where I had the opportunity to reacquaint myself with some of Hondas subcompact rivals, all of which I had previously driven. Its a true testament to me how strong a product can be when placed beside its foes. Ill explain.

During the Fits launch, four of its competitors were present: the Toyota Yaris, Hyundai Accent, Kia Rio5 and Chevrolet Aveo5. I had the opportunity to drive all of them back to back, in order to compare the ride quality and handling of each. I noticed that the Fits finely-tuned MacPherson strut front suspension and torsion beam rear setup offered a firm yet comfortable ride. The cars lightweight unibody construction,

Base Fit gets tons of standard equipment, like ABS, side and side curtain airbags, auxiliary socket for the stereo, and the list goes on. (Photo: Justin Couture, American Auto Press)

of which 36 percent is made from high-tensile strength steel to enhance levels of performance and safety, no doubt added to its class domination.

Furthermore, EPS (Electric Power Steering) made maneuvering the car through the obstacle course easy and effortless. I didnt fully realize how much I liked this system until I got behind the wheels of the others. Now, this is not to say that the competition wasnt very tough, which it seriously was, its just to say that the Fit, to me, felt much more secure, stable and solid when negotiating the makeshift autocross course than the rest. The base trim glided confidently and comfortably on its standard P175/65R14 tires and so did the Sport with its P195/55R15 tires and 15" alloy wheels - the Sport did take to the turns better though.

Another part of the autocross course

Rear seat folds over; you dont need to remove the headrests. (Photo: Justin Couture, American Auto Press)

comparison had us testing each cars braking systems. The Fit is the only one in its class to offer anti-lock brakes (ABS) standard across all trim levels; which is another sign of Hondas commitment to performance and safety, and a fair reason why it costs a bit more than its rivals in base trim. It just so happened to be raining on our test date, making the braking test that much more exciting. A concern with me is not how well a cars brakes perform on dry surfaces, but rather on the wet. Again, the Fit performed marvelously.

Still, in that odd occasion that the weather, or something else for that matter, would get the better of the car (thankfully something that I did not experience), the Fits standard safety features would come into play. Dual-stage, dual-threshold front (SRS) airbags, plus front side airbags with passenger-side occupant position detection system (OPDS), side curtain airbags, side-impact door

Magic Seats seat squab also flips up, allowing you to store very tall items inside the cabin. (Photo: Justin Couture, American Auto Press)

beams, a strong high-tensile steel body structure with structurally integrated crash absorption stress points, and, of course, the aforementioned front disc and rear drum brakes with ABS, are only a few features waiting to take one for the team.

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